Overview:Designed to address the issues often associated with the Hunchback’s fundamental design flaws, the 7M utilizes technology that was secured in trade with both the Draconis Combine and Federated Suns prior to the outbreak of the 5th Succession War to produce a deadly medium weight brawler.

Capabilities:The design team at Kali Yama charged with the upgrade of the venerable Hunchback began with the HBK-5M as a basis for the re-design, the vast majority of the 5M remained unchanged. Taking advantage of advanced technology the team replaced the Class 20 Autocannon with a new Fusigon Sabertooth Heavy PPC linked into a PPC Capacitor which boosts the damage output of the Heavy PPC to a level which approaches the Autocannon but is not limited by the need for frequent ammunition reloads and can strike targets up to twice as far away. For close range defense the medium lasers of the 5M model have been retained. Additionally, all of the weapons have been linked into an advanced Targeting Computer to provide additional accuracy at all ranges.When the design team finished with the weapon upgrades, they turned their attention to boosting the armor protection by a half ton and added well tested Rawlings 50 jump jets to improve the mobility of the hunchback while a total of thirteen double strength heat sinks allow for the mechwarrior piloting the 7M to more easily manage any heat buildup from the entirely energy based weapons array.

Deployment:After testing and development, the initial production run of the HBK-7M has been well received by the FWLM and orders for field upgrade kits have been placed to begin upgrades of many of the remaining 5M variants in service with the League. There are hopes amongst many in the FWLM that the new design will prove a nasty surprise for the League’s enemies.